1
as in consecration
the act of making something holy through religious ritual
the sacred site required another sanctification after it had been defiled by the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purification
the act or fact of freeing from sin or moral guilt
the Christian belief that the suffering and death of Jesus was responsible for the sanctification of all humankind
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanctification
After Fuqua does interesting work sowing seeds of folly amid the star’s glorious rise, the movie gives up and turns to total sanctification.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The sanctification of Lee and other Confederate leaders, in turn, pushed the complexities of the surrender and of the Civil War era into the shadows, allowing the myth of Appomattox to flourish for more than a century.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The result is that liberal analysts prefer the sanctification of allies and the demonization of rivals to objective and informed analysis.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
But Ii her death allows for her sanctification, the film doesn’t quite know how to represent her life.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
This sanctification was a crucial step in including medicine as its own advanced degree program at the first universities that were established around 1200 in Europe.
—Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023
Doing so is not a violation but a sanctification of Shabbat.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Sep. 2021
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The sanctification of Lee and other Confederate leaders, in turn, pushed the complexities of the surrender and of the Civil War era into the shadows, allowing the myth of Appomattox to flourish for more than a century.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The result is that liberal analysts prefer the sanctification of allies and the demonization of rivals to objective and informed analysis.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
But Ii her death allows for her sanctification, the film doesn’t quite know how to represent her life.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
This sanctification was a crucial step in including medicine as its own advanced degree program at the first universities that were established around 1200 in Europe.
—Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023
Doing so is not a violation but a sanctification of Shabbat.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctification
Noun
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Drive’s sensational premiere at Cannes in 2011 was a consecration of his cinema, but perhaps also the tipping point.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
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At this stage of his career, Hicks will have been part of many ceremonies; ordination as a deacon and then a priest, consecration as an auxiliary bishop and installation as bishop in Joliet, Illinois.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its origins lie in ancient Greek philosophy and Ayurvedic purification; it is woven through Christian, Islamic, Sufi, and Buddhist traditions.—
Jane Alexander,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 May 2026
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Infection prevention and control top priority for responders UNICEF has already mobilized nearly 50 tons of infection prevention and control supplies, such as disinfectants and soaps, personal protective equipment, water purification tablets and water tanks to Bunia, the capital of Ituri province.—
Maryanne Murray Buechner,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
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It’s been such an inspiration to me, to see the way that the writer suspends himself between those two worlds, and how writing becomes his salvation.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
If there’s redemption, then there’s salvation.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The treatments begin with a scalp analysis under a microscope, followed by exfoliating, steaming, cleansing and massage steps designed to improve scalp health and hair shine.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
-
There is no cleansing, no renewal—just the same economy, emerging from damage.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctification. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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